NTB ‘A’ beat JL Morrisons with each scoring over 300
PLC batsman S. Dissnayake top scored with 55 - Pic by Ranjith Perera
In a Quarterfinal (QF) where the bowlers were put to the sword, over 600 runs were scored, inclusive of 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries, as Nations Trust Bank (NTB) ‘A’ maintained their unbeaten record with a 31-runs win over JL Morrisons (JLM) in the 6th ‘BMW -Hyundai’ Trophy MCA ‘C’ Division 50-Over League Tournament 2017,continued with the QFs last weekend. In this high scoring match, Tharindu Ariyawansa of NTB ‘A’ and Ahmed Shakeel of JLM scored centuries, while the 3 half-centurians were Sajith Perera and Tharindu Amaratunga of NTB ‘A’ and Gayanga Kahawita of JLM.
NTB ‘A’ batting first, scored 339 for 8 in 50-overs, riding on the sparkling 12- runs 2nd wicket stand in 96 balls between Tharindu Ariyawansa (108 in 73 balls, with 2 sixes and 15 fours) and Sajith Perera (78).
Underdogs JLM bravely took up the challenge with opener, Ahamed Shakeel keeping the momentum of the run chase going with a responsible 138 in 120 balls, with 3 sixes and 13 fours, and well supported by Gayanga Kahavita (55) and K. Silva (42)
Tharinda Amaratunga, who earlier bolstered the NTB ‘A’ innings with a bright 74 runs, put the brakes on the JLM batting, with a good spell of 10-0-55-4, thus restricting them to 308 for 7 in 50 overs.
In the 2nd QF, Anura Dias figured prominently for Commercial Credit & Finance (CCF) ‘B’ with a good double of 60 runs and 3 for 18, in their win over Peoples Leasing Co. (PLC) by 70 runs. Debutants, DHT Cement (DHT) crushed LB Finance (LBF) ‘B’ by 7 wickets in the 3rd QF. LBF were shot out for 77 runs in 21.1 overs, with leg spinner, Shaluka Silva the wrecker with 7-2-21-5. DHT had batting practice facing 28 overs to reach their target of 78 for 3.
The 4th QF saw a very useful 106-runs partnership in 104 balls for the 3rd wicket, by Aruna Henrickson (76) and S. Jamion (47), enabled unbeaten Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) score a well deserved 37-runs win over Colombo Dockyard Ltd. (CDL).
| Quarterfinal results At Katunayake At Mattegoda |